Paradores

Paradores are a unique mode of holiday accommodation in which tourists are housed in renovated castles, palaces and fortresses as well as other kinds of centuries-old buildings. Some paradores are however modern hotels that have been styled after traditional buildings. They offer you the unique opportunity to partake of Spanish history and culture while still enjoying all the services you would expect from a first class hotel.

All this at prices that will just blow your mind. These facilities can be found in many parts of Spain, mainly in the Galicia, Cataluña and Andalusia regions and the Canary Islands. Some Spanish cities in North Africa will also have paradores. Originally designed by the state to promote tourism in the country in 1928, the paradores have blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon with countries like Portugal and Puerto Rico borrowing from this model.

What to expect

Should you choose to make yourself a paradores guest you will be pampered into submission. Food, for starters, is plentiful and prepared to perfection by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs. Meals are well researched and innovative; there is no room for monotony in a paradores kitchen.

The aim is to provide a wide selection of dishes that are as tasty to the palate as they are nutritious to the body. If you have special nutritional needs such as vegetarians and diabetics do, fret not. There will not just be something for you to eat; you will have an assortment of traditional specialities to choose from. Those in Spain for a family holiday will be delighted to find that most paradores provide a special menu for children below 12 to usher them into the Mediterranean cuisine culture and help them start appreciating the importance of healthy eating from a tender age. To help down these delicacies is a healthy collection of rich wines.

A number of these establishments including Parador de El Saler and Parador de Vielha offer guests spa treatments right within the premises. At the latter you will enjoy magnificent views of the Catalan Pyrenees while reclining in the soothing waters of a bubble bath or sauna. Among the treatments you can expect are herbal and aromatherapy massages as well as a variety of facial treatments. Paradore guests can also expect guided excursions to nearby sites.

Apart from simply housing tourists and travellers, the paradores play host to a number of other events including weddings and private parties. And if you’re looking for an exotic location for your next seminar or business meeting, why not inquire at your parador of choice? Like most international hotels they will have facilities to cater for groups of different sizes. They provide comfortable sitting in ambient, immaculately decorated halls alongside a rich selection of refreshments.

Despite the aura of respect for tradition paradores generate, modern facilities synonymous with top hotels such as crisply air-conditioned rooms with TVs, currency exchange bureaus, well-equipped gyms and WiFi Internet access in the lounges can be found in these establishments. Children will be kept busy with a nice play area and adults can practice their swing at lush golf courses.